Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 26 | Beyond the Spilled Wine | Novela.app

The temperature within the room seemed to rise by several degrees. Nie Shiyun’s hand, wrapped around Zhai Bairong’s waist, suddenly tightened. Zhai Bairong stumbled slightly, and the two of them inadvertently collided with the side table. A wine goblet on the surface tipped over with a sharp *clack*, and the remaining spiritual wine splashed across the wood, winding its way along the edge before trickling down. However, neither had the leisure to care about the wine. Unlike their previous encounter, Nie Shiyun’s approach was hurried and his offensive fierce. Having witnessed Zhai Bairong’s various reactions just moments ago, it was as if fuel had been added to a fire; Nie Shiyun could not help but want to force this usually self-restrained man to reveal even more of his hidden facets. Zhai Bairong’s breathing grew ragged. Although he had spent these past days counseling himself internally, his reason and various considerations were finally tossed to the back of his mind. He closed his eyes and began to respond to Nie Shiyun. Even through their layers of clothing, they could feel each other’s body heat, testifying to their current states of mind. Zhai Bairong’s hands had originally been gripping Nie Shiyun’s wrists, intending to pull him away. That movement remained stiff and frozen for a long while before he finally relaxed his strength. His hands moved hesitantly up Nie Shiyun’s arms, eventually hooking around his back. Receiving this silent permission, Nie Shiyun’s breathing grew heavy. In the gaps between their kisses, he whispered, "The hem of your robe is wet from the wine." Zhai Bairong glanced down. The spilled liquid on the floor tiles had dampened the edge of his garment—though it was barely an inch of fabric. Yet, this sentence acted as a sort of suggestion. Zhai Bairong looked up to meet Nie Shiyun’s gaze. After a few seconds, as if both had reached a mutual understanding, they moved a few steps to the side. "Did you check the bed while you were looking for 'evidence' earlier?" Nie Shiyun did not miss the chance to tease. Zhai Bairong’s face darkened. "...Do not mention that matter again." Nie Shiyun couldn't help but laugh. Seeing his smug, triumphant expression, Zhai Bairong was so exasperated he laughed in spite of himself. "Such a dull matter—how long do you intend to laugh about it?" "At least for a few more days." Their interest, however, was no longer in the wine. The arrays used to dispel the summer heat had long since been removed from the room, but since winter had not yet arrived, no new ones had been added. There was a slight chill in the air, but it was something the two of them, warmed by the wine they had shared, could not feel for the time being. As skin met skin, Nie Shiyun reached out and pulled away Zhai Bairong’s hair ribbon. His fingers threaded through the dark locks, undoing the topknot in a few deft motions. Strands of hair fell over Zhai Bairong’s shoulders, some draping across his chest while the ends scattered loosely over the bedding. Nie Shiyun thought back to their first accidental encounter, when Zhai Bairong’s eyes had been vacant and unfocused due to his clouded mind. Then there was the time they were drunk, where Zhai Bairong’s gaze had been hazy with intoxication throughout. Now, Nie Shiyun lifted his head from Zhai Bairong’s chest, seeing the man’s expression with absolute clarity. Because of Nie Shiyun’s sudden pause and upward gaze, Zhai Bairong startled for a moment, looking straight back at him. He wanted to search for a trace of the other’s emotions within Nie Shiyun’s eyes, but he could discern nothing. He only felt himself falling into those calm, dark pupils. Reaching out, Zhai Bairong mirrored Nie Shiyun’s earlier actions. Nie Shiyun watched him; he watched as Zhai Bairong extended a hand, brushing past his ear to thread fingers through his hair. The movement was so gentle it made Nie Shiyun’s scalp tingle—in a good way, of course. During his days running the shop, Nie Shiyun didn't care much for his appearance, often eschewing even decorative hair crowns or ribbons. He couldn't see the back of his own head, but he felt Zhai Bairong’s hand move with a few practiced turns of the wrist, skillfully undoing his hair. After so many years, Nie Shiyun had long since grown accustomed to the fact that he, as a man, wore his hair long. But this was the first time someone had helped him undo it. Their previous two encounters had been abnormal; now that both were clear-headed, Nie Shiyun truly felt it—the person before him really did have experience, and in the past, he had clearly been the one taking care of the other party. In the past, he must have been like this—unhurried even in bed, his gaze incredibly soft and tolerant, his movements careful and gentle... Nie Shiyun’s mind wandered for a split second. He didn't feel any displeasure from recalling certain descriptions from the original book; instead, he began to smile. "You..." Zhai Bairong didn't consider himself exceptionally green, yet he found himself completely led by the nose by Nie Shiyun in the heat of the moment. Although Nie Shiyun had never mentioned it, and Zhai Bairong had never heard of him having lovers or furnaces during his time at Yunqing Pavilion, Zhai Bairong would bet anything that this fellow’s experience was far more extensive than his own... But since Nie Shiyun didn't speak of it, he didn't ask. Zhai Bairong’s fingers dug into Nie Shiyun’s shoulders. It was an instinctive posture that could either pull the other closer or push him away, but the sensations Nie Shiyun brought him left him unable to make any further reaction for a time. He simply tightened his grip. ... By the time the fire finally began to fade, it was at least the hour of Hai.